Harrow

The London Borough of Harrow includes numerous districts, principally: Harrow on the Hill, North Harrow, South Harrow, West Harrow and Harrow Weald. The borough also covers certain districts such as Pinner and Hatch End which themselves extend beyond Harrow, into separate boroughs. The London Plan officially grouped Harrow into the sub-region of West London, as well as recognising its lively ambience by categorising it as a Metropolitan Centre; a status given to only nine other areas (The London Plan, February 2004). The etymology of 'Harrow' is derived from the Anglo- Saxon for 'heathen temple'. There is an argument to suggest that this temple was originally situated upon Harrow on the Hill. This contention may imply that the focus of the borough remains upon Harrow on the Hill and this widely-held belief is strengthened by the renowned affluence of the district. However, the other districts of the borough have their own unique attractions to offer as well. For a borough which has been home at some point in its history to Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Byron among others, as well as boasting a world-famous public school, [http://www.harrowschool.org.uk/ Harrow School] which provided the stunning backdrop for a Harry Potter film, it still manages to retain a uniquely relaxed and multicultural atmosphere.

Attractions

Harrow contains many similar attractions to those found in Central London but often at greatly reduced prices. [http://www.harrowarts.com The Harrow Arts Centre] offers a regular and diverse range of music from piano recitals to swing and jazz evenings. The Centre also shows a variety of theatre productions which cater for all ages as well as the occasional comedy act. For something more unusual, the [http://www.harrowarts.com/museum/index.htm Harrow Museum] (found in the grounds of the majestic Headstone Manor) is well worth a visit. As well as permanently having various listed buildings such as the Tithe Barn, Granary and Small Barn, open for display and guided tours, the Museum also has a water-filled moat and a stimulating range of temporary exhibitions.

For those who are jaded by the large art exhibitions found in central London, Harrow offers a welcome alternative. [http://www.wmin.ac.uk/mad/page-811 The London Gallery West] presents original work from the students of the University of Westminster, as well as hosting more large-scale exhibitions. For those wishing to purchase some original yet fine artwork, [http://www.lindablackstone.com the Linda Blackstone Gallery] found in Pinner High Street, offers an array of affordable British art.

If a more active experience is desired, the Harrow leisure centre offers a large variety of facilities, ranging from the conventional: two swimming pools and a gym, to the more unusual: a rock-climbing wall and comprehensive snooker facilities.

Shopping

Shopping in Harrow can offer an experience different to that of many other London boroughs. This is mainly a result of the diverse choice available. One day's shopping in the borough can combine the large department stores and shopping centres found in Harrow town centre, with unique specialist and boutique shops found in nearby Pinner. Harrow town centre boasts two considerable retail centres in close proximity: St. Ann's and St George's. The two centres act as popular focal points leading off the busy pedestrianised St. Ann's Road. St. Ann's Centre offers the expected fare of a typical mall: a combination of chain stores such as Marks and Spencer, Top Shop and Primark and an impressive range of fast food eateries such as Subway and Spud U Like. The main shopping streets nearby, including St. Ann's Road offer a wider range of retail and cafe culture. Such an impressive array of shops is sufficient to fill a whole day but a foray to the nearby Pinner can prove worthwhile. Pinner High Street offers a more personal and specialised shopping experience with a general lack of chain names and an abundance of small quirky shops. The renowned Farmer's market every Sunday morning is also well worth a visit.

Nightlife and Eating out

Harrow has a multitude of pubs, although the majority are part of large chain companies and as such, tend not to have much in the way of character. Despite this, chains such as Wetherspoon offer a cheaper drinking and more informal dining experience than many others. The general dining experience in Harrow reflects its multicultural status, with a high concentration of Indian and Chinese restaurants. However, nearby Pinner offers some traditional village-style pubs such as The Woodman, as well as some inviting mid-priced restaurants such as Cafe Rouge. A livelier type of nightlife can be found in Harrow, for example in the popular bars such as Yates's. Harrow town centre itself does not have a large variety of nightclubs, although the Time Nightclub does attract many local young people. However, the short trip to nearby Watford can offer a more extensive nightlife with the [http://www.destinynightclub.co.uk/ Destiny nightclub] being a firm favourite. For those who prefer their music live, [http://www.whatsonwembley.com/ Wembley arena], one of the world's most renowned music and entertainment venues is within easy driving distance of Harrow.

Transport

Harrow is extremely well connected with the rest of London and beyond. The Metropolitan tube line serves Pinner, North Harrow, West Harrow and Harrow on the Hill. South Harrow is connected by the Piccadilly line There is also a large bus station near Harrow on the Hill station, which efficiently serves the surrounding area. Arriving at Harrow from an international destination is also not a problem. The nearest airport is Heathrow and the number 140 bus goes from there to Harrow. It is also possible to reach Harrow from Heathrow by tube as the Piccadilly line goes directly from the airport to South Harrow tube station.